Before starting, assign the computer a name a registered it in SRL Laptop Fleet and a sticker.
In general the steps required to get a computer up and running are
Install Windows (optional)
Install Ubuntu
Install basic software
Install MATLAB
Install ROS Kinetic (optional)
To help in the Ubuntu installation we have a few scripts in this public repo.
Install Windows (optional)
The first step is to install Windows. Ask ITACS to do a fresh Windows install, or alternatively install it yourself (a copy of Windows can be obtained via the NPS Software Library). Once Windows is installed shrink the Windows partition (e.g., using this guide) leaving space for the Ubuntu installation, 100 GB will do.
Ubuntu 16.04 installation
Install Ubuntu 16.04. If Windows is installed, install Ubuntu alongside, and create a dual-boot machine.
During the installation try to connect to the internet with a wired connection, download updates from the internet, and select the option to install third-party software.
During the Ubuntu installation it will ask you to introduce your name, the computer's name, and a username. For all these fields use the lowercase version of the name that is written on the machine's sticker. For example, if the in the sticker reads "SRL-ROTEX" use "rotex". Use any password at this time as we will be changing it later.
Ubuntu basic configuration
Once you have Ubuntu up and running, let's first change the password to our default one "core":
sudo passwd username
Change `username` to your username.
To connect to the internet with your wireless card follow the instructions on NPS ERN on Linux (Ubuntu) and to obtain a static IP (wired connection) use the TAC Forms.
Use the Basic_install.sh from this public repo to get your system upgraded and to install Smartgit (our git client of choice) and Sublime Text (our text editor of choice).
Install MATLAB
Install MATLAB, available via the NPS Software Library. We currently use MATLAB 2016b. This can take a long time.
After the installation is complete install the following package:
sudo apt-get install matlab-support
Install ROS Kinetic (optional)
Some of our projects run with ROS Kinetic, to install it use the ROS_install.sh script from this public repo.
